-"Pretending to sleep while waiting for me?"
Lucian looked at the small hand tightly clutching his own before slowly shifting his gaze to its owner. His voice remained as cold as ever, but whether it was because he had changed or because Aaron now saw him differently—without fear, but with a gentle, indescribable emotion—he wasn't sure.
He didn't pull his hand away. He liked the warmth of this touch.
-"Why are you avoiding me?" Aaron's voice was barely above a whisper, yet it carried an unshakable determination. He wanted to hear Lucian say it himself, even though he had already guessed the reason in his heart.
The way Aaron looked at Lucian now was completely different from before. No longer cold and guarded, but instead, soft—so soft that it made Lucian's heart ache.
-"I can't keep you by my side." Lucian spoke slowly, his tone calmer than usual, as if something inside him was reluctant to let go.
Aaron held onto his hand even tighter now, as if afraid that the moment he let go, Lucian would disappear forever. He had no one else. Lucian was the only one he could rely on. But more than that… there was something deep in Aaron's heart that didn't want to lose this man.
-"You said you love me… so why are you abandoning me?" His voice trembled slightly, carrying both grievance and determination, as if it was both a question and a plea. "Do you not love me anymore?"
Lucian stared into those glistening eyes—so pure that they reflected every hidden emotion buried deep inside him. And because of that gaze, he knew he couldn't keep Aaron by his side. The longer he looked, the more painful it became.
-"You're an angel… I can't let you be tainted by blood." His voice was soft, barely a whisper, but heavy with emotion.
Silence filled the space between them, so quiet that their heartbeats seemed to echo in the air. Lucian's gaze remained tender, but Aaron no longer looked at him. He lowered his eyes, slowly loosening his grip… and then let go completely.
That moment was carved deeply into their hearts.
Lucian exhaled quietly, so softly it was almost inaudible. Then, he turned away, his voice regaining its usual coldness. "Get some rest. It's late." He walked toward the door, as if afraid that if he stayed even a second longer, he wouldn't be able to hold himself back.
But then—
-"Then turn me into a demon."
Aaron's voice rang out, clear and resolute.
"I want to stay by your side… I love you."
Lucian froze.
He stood still for a few seconds, as if struggling with himself. His hand rested on the doorknob, but he didn't turn it.
There was fear… but at the same time, there was a flicker of happiness.
Finally, Lucian turned around.
He stepped toward the bed, staring deeply at the beautiful face before him. These eyes, this face… so breathtakingly beautiful it stirred his soul. He reached out and gently caressed Aaron's cheek, his fingers gliding over his features as if trying to engrave them into memory.
Then, he leaned down and placed a kiss on Aaron's forehead.
Without another word, Lucian lifted Aaron into his arms—leaving the hospital behind.
Aaron understood Lucian—understood him to the very core.
He was a lonely man.
Aaron had known that for a long time. Lucian had always wanted someone by his side, yet he had never spoken of it, perhaps because even he didn't dare to hope.
Once, Aaron had chosen to leave. He couldn't betray Raihan, because at the time, he had believed he loved him. But the truth was, his feelings for Raihan had never been deep enough to be called love.
Lucian, on the other hand… Aaron had already fallen for him.
When Lucian let him go, countless thoughts had raced through Aaron's mind—the urge to turn back, the moments of hesitation, the lingering question of whether he should return. But in the end, he had still chosen to leave, all for what he thought was love.
Now, that foolish love no longer existed. And nothing could stop Aaron from loving Lucian anymore.
He had already made his decision.
—————————————————
Lucian took Aaron to a place so cold it was terrifying.
Screams of agony, desperate cries for mercy echoed through the air, colliding into their ears like a symphony from hell.
Aaron followed Lucian, each step sinking deeper into an unfamiliar world. But he wasn't afraid.
Because Lucian was right in front of him.
Along the way, everyone who saw Lucian bowed their heads in reverence. This was his domain. The deeper they went, the thicker the darkness became—so much so that Aaron felt as if he were being swallowed whole.
Yet just as a flicker of hesitation crossed his eyes, a cold hand suddenly grasped his—just for a fleeting moment before letting go.
Lucian didn't say a word, but Aaron understood.
Lucian was reassuring him.
——————
They finally stopped in a vast room dimly lit by eerie light. A grand armchair had been prepared. Lucian sat down and pulled Aaron onto his lap, letting him lean against his legs.
Before them knelt the ones who had once tried to kill Lucian, the same ones who had mercilessly beaten Aaron. Now, they looked pitiful—tied up, covered in wounds, trembling as they cowered on the floor.
But Raihan wasn't among them.
Aaron didn't care. He no longer felt anything for that traitor.
He only had one question: why had Lucian brought him here?
Until now, Lucian had always kept him away from bloodshed and cruelty. But today, he had led Aaron straight into the abyss, forcing him to witness everything firsthand.
Aaron didn't need to ask.
He understood Lucian.
Lucian wanted Aaron to change. He wanted Aaron to become stronger. He wanted Aaron… to become his.
Lucian didn't speak. He merely tilted his head slightly, signaling for the show to begin.
The torture commenced.
Whips tore through flesh, agonized screams filled the air. Blood splattered across the floor, the walls, the contorted faces of those writhing in pain.
Aaron held his breath, clutching onto Lucian's sleeve.
He was afraid.
But Lucian didn't let him turn away.
A hand gently rested on Aaron's back, a silent reminder.
Aaron bit his lip, forcing himself to watch.
This scene… he had seen it before. In nightmares.
For the first time in his life, Aaron realized:
The line between good and evil was frighteningly thin.
Goodness or cruelty—it wasn't about nature. It was about choice.
And once kindness was trampled upon, darkness would rise.
————————
At first, he could only stare, struggling not to avert his gaze. But the more he watched, the stranger his emotions became.
His hands no longer trembled.
His heartbeat no longer raced.
Slowly, fear was replaced by something else—something that shouldn't exist within him.
Satisfaction.
Pleasure.
Each time an enemy fell, a strange sense of relief crept into Aaron's heart.
Was this why Lucian was so strong?
Only the strong had the right to decide the fate of others.
If Aaron wanted to stay by Lucian's side, if he didn't want to be left behind—he had to be the same.
When the torture was over, Lucian seemed weary. He didn't say anything, merely carried Aaron out to the car and gently placed him in the passenger seat.
Just before starting the engine, he spoke unexpectedly:
-"As for Raihan… someone kept him alive. I'll leave him to you."
Aaron was momentarily surprised, but then, his lips curled into a faint smirk.
A simple statement, but it was enough.
Lucian was acknowledging that Aaron should make his own decision.
He was drawing Aaron in deeper.
He wanted Aaron to become like him.
Aaron no longer felt fear.
A fleeting image of Jimson Snake crossed his mind, and a thought flickered—
-"Is this a gift from Jimson Snake?"
If so… then Aaron should return the favor with an equally fitting gift.
Resting his elbow against the car door, he lightly touched his chin with a finger. His eyes reflected the dim glow of the streetlights, but deep within them, shadows had begun to spread.
Lucian glanced at Aaron's expression—and he knew.
The angel had begun to fall.
————————————————
Lucian brought Aaron back to the grand mansion from before.
In the past, this place had felt suffocating. But now, it was more comfortable than ever.
Lucian led him to his old room and was about to leave when Aaron suddenly spoke:
-"Give me three days of freedom. After three days, I'll come back on my own."
His voice was firm, his gaze unwavering.
Lucian remained silent for a few seconds before replying coldly:
- "I don't want you getting hurt. You can have your freedom, but I will have people protect you."
Aaron chuckled softly.
- "Thank you."
Lucian said nothing more, simply turning to leave.
Aaron quietly watched as the tall figure disappeared beyond the door. A strange warmth rose in his heart.
He smiled—perhaps the first genuine smile he had ever given Lucian.
Too bad Lucian didn't see it.
But that was fine. There would be plenty of time from now on…
Just as Aaron was about to lie down and rest, the door creaked open slightly.
A small creature sneaked in, its round eyes blinking innocently, its soft fur gleaming under the dim light.
Aaron froze for a moment.
It was the cat he had once accidentally saved.
So Lucian had kept it all this time?
Recognizing its owner, the little feline immediately jumped onto Aaron, rubbing its head against his chest affectionately.
Aaron chuckled, stroking its fur gently. But as his fingers brushed against its neck, he noticed something.
A necklace… with a small pendant.
And on it, a single word was engraved:
- "Solace?"
Aaron stared at the name for a long moment before realization dawned upon him.
Anything that belonged to him—Lucian cherished.
Even a small cat had been cared for and given a name.
Aaron smiled again.
This time, there was no hesitation.
He had chosen to love the right person.
EndofChapter10.